Art therapy
What is the Art therapy program?
Art Therapy is a creative mode that complements discussion based therapies.
The Art Therapy Program provides an opportunity for anyone experiencing distress to acknowledge, communicate and express their feelings using art as a medium to do so.
A variety of techniques are used to facilitate this including: visualisation, guided imagery, creative writing, movement and play. Making art or imagery can be a safe way to represent our inner experiences using symbols and metaphor.
All imagery created in the therapeutic relationship or art therapy session is treated with respect and confidentiality applies. Artworks remain the property of each group member.
As part of the program, you will be given a visual diary to assist you in exploring what emerges in each session and to support you in your creative process.
The Benefits of Art therapy
The benefits of art therapy include:
How is this diffrent from the creative group?
The Art Therapy Program differs from Creative Group Program in that the end art product is not the main focus of the group. The Creative Group Program encourages art for the purpose of distraction, self-soothing, and socialisation with others. By contrast, the Art Therapy Program is for those who wish to explore their emotions through image making in a safe environment. Directive exercises are given each session to assist in this process and a sense of trust is formed allowing group members to take risks and discover more about themselves.
Program Outline
All of Perth Clinic’s Acute Admission Programs are based on an “open group” design. This means that people may be entering or leaving these groups at different times, and you will potentially have new people joining your groups from day to day.
The Art Therapy Program runs Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 1:30pm – 3:00pm.
Who pay benefit from the Art Therapy Program?
You don’t have to be “good at art” to benefit from Art Therapy. Sometimes feelings that result from making art can be considered more important than how the image looks and this is what is explored in each session. As such, no previous art experience or expertise is required.
Anyone is able to participate in the Art Therapy Program whilst they are a patient of Perth Clinic (in patient or day patient). Day patients need to obtain a referral from their treating psychiatrist.
Do you want to know more?
Speak to your psychiatrist about learning more about the Art Therapy Program. You may then wish to discuss a referral to any or all of the components of the program. For further information you can contact Perth Clinic on 9481 4888.
